INTRODUCTION

The Texas Heeler is a mixed breed dog, a cross between the Australian Cattle Dog and Australian Shepherd Dog breeds. Texas Heelers get their name from the state in which they are most likely to be found, Texas, combined with the nickname “Heeler” from their parent, the Australian Cattle Dog (also called the Queensland Heeler or Blue Heeler). Despite their unfortunate status as a designer breed, you can find these mixed-breed dogs in breed-specific shelters and rescues, so remember to adopt. These adorable puppies make excellent family dogs. They tend to thrive in a larger home environment, such as a farm or backyard home. But this active mixed breed also does well in urban environments, as long as their owners give them plenty of exercise and playtime. If you want an intelligent, highly trainable dog for your family or as a working companion, the Texas Heeler could be the right dog for you! AniMall24 recommends a dog bed to give your medium-sized Texas Heeler a good night’s sleep. You should also pick up a dog toy to help burn off your pup’s high energy.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Texas Heeler is a mixed breed dog. The main colours of the Texas Heeler are black, blue merle and blue ticked with white or fawn. The main colours of the Texas Heeler are black, blue merle and blue ticked with white or fawn. Fortunately, the coat of the Texas Heeler is easy to groom. A good brushing every few days should be sufficient.Since they are a mixed herding breed, Texas Heelers can be a little bitty or try to nip at the heels of younger children who do not know how to properly interact with them.When it comes to other pets, Texas Heelers can get along with other animals, but they are herding dogs, and may try to herd any animal that is not a dog as they would cattle or sheep.Texas Heelers have high energy levels. Make sure your Texas Heeler gets two or three good half-hour to hour-long walks a day, with some good active play sessions and shorter walks mixed in.Texas Heelers are energetic and hardworking. They are happiest when they are working in some capacity, and their aim to please and work is also what makes them such excellent service dogs.

HISTORY

Texas Heelers have likely existed naturally throughout the years, but it was not until sometime in the 1970s that breeders began crossing the Australian Cattle Dog with the Australian Shepherd. Breeders in Texas are believed to have originated the breed, and enthusiasts say Lucy Guynes was the first to register a Texas Heeler in 1970. The breeders combined the dogs to create an intelligent hybrid sheepdog. They continued to create Texas Heelers as the demand for mixed breed dogs increased. Although the Texas Heeler breed started out as a designer breed, some ended up in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. Consider adoption if you decide this is the breed for you. Check your local shelters, look for Texas Heeler rescues, or check with breed-specific Australian Cattle Dog or Australian Shepherd dog rescues as they sometimes accept mixed breed dogs and find a home for them.